subject: The First Of The Next Generation Consoles: The Nintendo Wii U [print this page] So E3 2012 let us have a good look at Nintendos latest console the Wii U and all the fuss surrounding the Wii U. Well, the current generation of consoles, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii are now approaching the 6 and 7 years mark since release! This has been the longest console cycle ever and Nintendo has been the first to jump on the next generation console wagon.
Lets take a closer look at the Nintendo Wii U; the console itself is a small, sleek and plain design, but can pump out 1080p HD Graphics and is powered by an IBM multi-core processor. The Nintendo Wii U has a slight edge over its competitors if we go by power and visuals alone. But the main feature of the console is not its graphics, because this is Nintendo remember and Nintendo dont do normal! It is the controller that has got mouths moving and heads turning making it a quite impressive piece of kit.
The Gamepad is what Nintendo named the Wii U controller, it looks very much like a tablet pc but where a tablet is just a touch screen the gamepad incorporates a number of buttons and controls, including: Dual Analogue sticks, XBAY buttons, Triggers, Bumpers, Volume control, Home, TV and Power buttons. Not to mention a beautiful 6.2 touch screen that displays at 16:9 aspect ratio!
A brilliant innovation of the controller is to be able to play on the controllers screen alone without the need for a television, this does have a range of about 30 yards apparently so you wont be taking it onto the bus! But imagine this scenario, you in the middle of beating Bowsers head in on Mario and that selfish family member demands you put the football on, with the switch of a button on the tablet you can use the tablet screen as the main screen and continue with your Bowser beat down!
The Wii U deals out a good punch and will provide the hardcore gamers with an intense and varied play style, whilst still providing the family entertainment system that the Wii was loved for so much. Nintendo originally said that the Wii U console would only support one Wii U gamepad but after a press slating it now supports 2 gamepad controllers.
Sounds expensive right? However, the Nintendo Wii U bundles together the console and one Gamepad tablet, and currently price estimates are looking at around 279.99? A decent price for a HD console and an almost standalone tablet, it just cant leave your house.
